A jury of three men and nine women acquitted a former Albuquerque police officer of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence Tuesday. A legal expert, however, said the prosecution missed a huge opportunity when Levi Chavez took the stand.Ousama Rasheed said there was a point in the trial that could have possibly turned the tide in the state’s favor but prosecutors didn’t grab it.He also said the defense had the advantage based on physical evidence, adding prosecution should have focused on getting answers straight from Chavez himself.For Rasheed, the fact senior trial attorney Bryan McKay spent only an hour cross-examining Chavez was shocking. He suggests delving into his story, his credibility and his propensity for truthfulness or lying could have been beneficial.He said questions surrounding his affairs, truthfulness and the dynamic of his relationship with his former wife could also have helped.When the crime scene expert could not show the jury how he believed Tera Chavez killed herself, he said the defense suffered a major setback. That could have created an avalanche in the prosecution’s favor, he added.He made it clear, though, that there’s no way to tell how the jury would have reacted if the prosecution spent more time with Levi Chavez.The verdict needs to be respected, he added.

SANDOVAL COUNTY, N.M. —

A jury of three men and nine women acquitted a former Albuquerque police officer of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence Tuesday. A legal expert, however, said the prosecution missed a huge opportunity when Levi Chavez took the stand.

Ousama Rasheed said there was a point in the trial that could have possibly turned the tide in the state’s favor but prosecutors didn’t grab it.

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He also said the defense had the advantage based on physical evidence, adding prosecution should have focused on getting answers straight from Chavez himself.

For Rasheed, the fact senior trial attorney Bryan McKay spent only an hour cross-examining Chavez was shocking. He suggests delving into his story, his credibility and his propensity for truthfulness or lying could have been beneficial.

He said questions surrounding his affairs, truthfulness and the dynamic of his relationship with his former wife could also have helped.

When the crime scene expert could not show the jury how he believed Tera Chavez killed herself, he said the defense suffered a major setback. That could have created an avalanche in the prosecution’s favor, he added.

He made it clear, though, that there’s no way to tell how the jury would have reacted if the prosecution spent more time with Levi Chavez.